Come Christmas time, tourists and locals alike head to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to check out amazing holiday lights and decorations.  

However, for those who don't have a car, there are other pockets in Brooklyn of wonderful and creative holiday decorations, including among the pretty brownstones of Carroll Gardens, a onetime Italian-American stronghold where churches and funeral homes, along with Italian bakeries and restaurants are equally plentiful. While it might not be as famous as Dyker Heights, Carroll Gardens can be easier to access for Brooklyn families from nearby Park Slope, Fort Greene and even Manhattan. 

Traditionally there are two types of day camps: Specialty camps that allow kids to focus on one thing (soccer, theater, robotics, art, etc.) and general interest camps, where participants spend their days rotating through a schedule of sports, swimming and arts. Lately, some general programs have started to offer more specialization, allowing kids to pick a "major" of sorts and then spend the rest of the day participating in traditional camp activities.

These kinds of customizable camps are great for kids who are really into a particular activity but don't want to give up traditional day camp fun like swimming, sports and time outdoors. It also gives children more control over their schedules.

The countdown is on. Christmas is almost here, and winter break is even closer than that. Philly families can find ways to get into the holiday spirit and keep the kids happy by turning to our Events Calendar which is filled almost as full as Santa's sleigh!

See a Christmas show, go ice skating, watch a Nutcracker performance, or experience Wells Fargo Center's Disney on Ice. Consider planning a getaway to the Sweetest Place on Earth and be sure to download some kid shows for the ride. On the other hand, if your focus is still on last minute shopping, check out our Round Up of Holiday Drop and Shop opportunities.

Read on to see our top weekday picks and have a very Merry Christmas!

If your budding thespians or tiny dancers want to continue (or discover!) their stage presence through the summer, you'll be happy to know that a variety of summer camps in the Hartford area are geared toward performing arts. These venues provide a great way to channel creative energy and spend the summer doing what children enjoy. Check out this list of camps with a fine arts focus, including drama, dance, theater, and music.

It may seem like you've seen all there is to see this holiday season — decorated Christmas trees, holiday lights, gingerbread houses, and enchanting displays — but don't hang up your Santa hat just yet. Head on down to the South Shore with your kids and catch a glimpse of some really unique and beautiful Christmas decorations. 

What’s 122-feet long, weighs as much as 10 African elephants and is totally vegetarian? A Titanosaur, of course! Dino-lovers rejoice as the American Museum of Natural History (known for its amazing must-see exhibits including The Secret World Inside You and Life at the Limits) gears up to introduce this gargantuan dinosaur in a brand-new exhibit. The massive new dinosaur cast will be unveiled in January, settling in for a three-year stay on the museum’s dinosaur floor. We've gathered some fun facts about this newly discovered dinosaur group, as well as details on the upcoming exhibit and even a very cool digital rendering of this giant find.

This post is sponsored by Voilà Chocolat, but the opinions are solely of the author.

'Tis the season for over-the-top sweets, special treats and incredible holiday outings. Voilà Chocolat combines all three in one fun activity that is sure to make lasting memories.

At this Upper West Side confectionery, adults and kids can have a blast making their own high-end chocolates to take home and eat or give away as gifts. My family and I enjoyed a spectacularly sweet afternoon recently making truffles and chocolate lollipops. It was an over-the-top success that will be a highlight of our holiday memories this year.

It's hard not to be sentimental as we pull our Christmas decorations out of their boxes. A little light up village that mesmerized our kids, earring-like decorations that belonged to Grandma and handmade pine cone creations remind us of holidays past. More Christmas decorations from another time, the Victorian era, are on view in the annual holiday exhibit at Norwalk's Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum  running through January 3. [For more holiday displays visit our Holiday Guide.]